Gamers across the world have always connected with the Grotesque horrors in video games, which brings the full creativity out of developers who are pioneering a horror experience that sends a chill down the spine of gamers, with many INDIE games taking the top spots on sale charts, here is a list of some of the most jaw-dropping horror games out there.
1. Still Wakes the deep
Metacritic Score – 74
Available on – PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X
Set on an oil rig in the middle of the North Sea known for its rough waves and unpredictable nature; you play as Caz McCreary, an Oil rig worker. The game is a first-person Survival horror game with players Performing and solving puzzles while being stealthy to make their way through their journey. It starts off as a typical day at work when all hell breaks loose when the rig workers drill into some sinister, it is up to Caz to survive this horror abomination that has taken over the rig, with his friends turned foe against him, it’s a ride filled with emotions, horror and the constant fight to survive and get back to your family on shore.
The game plays out like a mini-series with its Lovecraftian horror elements and a great sound design that captures the atmosphere of being on an oil rig fully, with the sound of waves crashing against the rig, metal bending and the horrifying screams of your comrades echoing through the dark and narrow passageways of the rig. Still Wake The Deep is one of the most beautifully crafted video games in recent times.
2. Sons of the Forest
Metacritic score – 86
Available on – PC
The sequel to the hit 2014 survival-horror game ‘The Forest,’ titled Sons of the Forest, shares the same DNA as its predecessor, immersing players in a race for survival on an island crawling with an ancient tribe of cannibals who stalk the protagonist at every turn. Players must decide how to confront these threats using the tools they acquire from the forest, employing methods like crafting and scavenging for supplies on this remote island. The game offers both solo play and multiplayer options, allowing up to 8 players per lobby to team up and face the island’s dangers together.
3. Phasmophobia
Metacritic Score 80
Available on – PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X
One of the first of its kind in Phasmophobia you play as paranormal investigators in different locations across multiple Paranormal cases, you the player are tasked with identifying the type of ghost haunting various locations, players use an array of ghost-hunting equipment such as EMF readers, spirit boxes, and night vision cameras. The game’s eerie atmosphere and unpredictable ghost AI creates a suspenseful experience with its twist and turns in taking decisions making every walkthrough unique to the players.
4. Amnesia: The Bunker
Metacritic Score – 77
Available on PC, PS4 & Xbox Series X
One of the breakout series of the decade the Amnesia series has always delivered when it comes to the horror experience provided to the players. This time Amnesia is back with its latest instalment, Amnesia: The Bunker, set during the Great war in an underground bunker as the name suggests itself, you take up the role as a French soldier who is stuck in the labyrinth of horrors, platforming your way through puzzles and monsters who lurk in the shadows deep underground, Amnesia: The bunker is a must play for any horror enthusiasts as it ticks all the boxes when it comes to horror games with its focus on Psychological horror making players second guess all their decisions throughout the game.
5. S.T.A.L.K.E.R Series
Metacritic Score – tbd
Available on- PS4, Xbox Series X|S
S.T.A.L.K.E.R is a first-person survival shooter set in post-apocalyptic Eastern Europe. It vividly depicts the harsh realities of a world after nuclear fallout, challenging players with complex mechanics and resource management. For those seeking to test their limits, the Stalker series offers a hostile environment filled with a variety of enemies, locations, equipment, and base-building opportunities. The latest iteration S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is now available for pre-order on our site and is one of the most anticipated games of 2024, releasing in September
6. Visage
Metacritic Score – 81
Available on- PC, Xbox one & PS4
A psychological first-person exploration game set in a rundown house with mind-bending corridors inspired by Silent Hill PT. It features multiple characters and chapters, focusing on their stories and the house as the source of horror.
7. Alan Wake 2
Metacritic Score – 89
Available on- PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X
Developed by Remedy Studios, Alan Wake 2 continues the story from the 2010 classic. You return to writer Alan Wake’s world, facing inner demons and a narrative that blurs reality and fiction. Players face eerie monsters and dark entities, all figments of Alan’s imagination. With its gripping story and enhanced gameplay, Alan Wake 2 has won numerous awards and is considered by some to be even better than the original.
8. Scorn
Metacritic Score – 70
Available on- PC & Xbox Series X
Scorn is an experimental first-person survival horror game set in a nightmarish bio-mechanical world that may make players question their decision to start the game. Despite this, Scorn offers a refreshing change in the horror genre with its unique mechanics and features. Players find themselves stranded on an alien world, which many find unsettling. Designed to evoke both dread and curiosity, Scorn pulls players into a deeply atmospheric and surreal experience. Its distinctive art style, combined with brilliant sound design and immersive environments, creates an experience best understood by playing it yourself. For horror fans, Scorn is a must-play title.
9. Dead Space Remake
Metacritic Score – 89
Available on- PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X
The remake of the critically acclaimed title of 2008 Dead Space, this Remake adds a new life to the Dead Space series. It is a third-person horror game set in space on a mining ship overrun with mutated creatures and crew members. You play as Isaac Clarke, battling for survival on a ship in the Dead Space remake. It enhances the original with new mechanics and stunning graphics. Combining sci-fi horror, intense gameplay, and a compelling narrative, Dead Space remake offers a fresh yet familiar experience, appealing to both new players and long-time fans of the series.
10. Fears to Fathom
Metacritic Score – tbd
Available on- PC
Fears to Fathom is an episodic game featuring a collection of chilling stories inspired by real-life experiences. As a first-person exploration game, it presents different chapters, each set in a new location with a unique narrative.
The game’s artistic style mimics the look of VCR tape recordings, providing a retro yet unsettling aesthetic that enhances its horror elements. Fears to Fathom merges real-life horror lore with immersive gameplay, creating deeply unsettling, globally captivating stories.
Summary
Horror games appeal to adrenaline seekers, offering jump scares, eerie environments, and disturbing narratives to evoke excitement and fear. Unlike traditional horror movies, these games engage players by making their decisions drive the story, creating a deeply personal and immersive experience.
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